South Florida Weather Plays Host to Underwear Shows

When the Fall mercury is in the 70`s and 80`s in Miami and the 40`s and 50`s in northern cities, it is not surprising that underwear fashion shows are geared to those southern Fahrenheit numbers. The northern November numbers are just not conducive to appreciating underwear unless it is the woolen neck to knee variety. This month has seen South Florida hosting four shows that have taken advantage of the locale and promoted their underwear collections and events to appreciative audiences.

Perhaps the most widely publicized show was the Victoria`s Secret event held November 15th at the Fontainebleau Hotel, South Beach. This was the first time the show had been held in Miami - and will be featured on CBS, December 3rd, 2008. This year`s show featured 35 models led by Heidi Klum, Alessandra Ambrosia and Adriana Lima displaying sparkling bras, panties, coats and dresses with signature wings and larger than life gift bow wings on a glitter drenched runway - truly confirming the costume designer`s focus for the show: "glamour, sophistication and the return to elegance"

The show`s timing coincided with the historic hotel`s grand reopening after a $1 billion face lift with the renovators rolling up their tarps and toolkits just in time for the show`s organizers to roll out their pink carpet. The Fontainebleau`s renovated 22 acres, 1504 luxury rooms, and 11 restaurants hosted the fashion show in a poolside tent - once the setting for Sean Connery`s James Bond in Gold Finger. The Fontainebleau was the 1950`s and 60`s icon for such names as Frank Sinatra and Jerry Lewis and appears to be reinventing that role for itself 50 years later.

The second event held in Miami that same night was Alenver Inc`s latest Special Fashion Show at the Seminole Hard Rock CafÃ©. Ten models showcased Alenver`s collection of underwear with a message and many in the crowd of 3,000 were thrilled with the new collection, asking the organizers where they could find these to purchase. Alenver`s innovative addition to the lingerie world is uniquely creative using its signature wide elastic waistband to display a provocative one word metallic message as it peeps out from under jeans. Messages are designed to be displayed, but in a surprising way - reversed for only the wearer to see the true message in the mirror.

The Alenver Special Fashion Show was once again promoted by Leah Kiss, proclaimed "Queen of Miami Nights", successful singer and now Artistic Director/Event Planner for the Opium Group and included her signature style. The hotspot location of the Seminole Hard Rock CafÃ© provided the perfect setting for the show with its 12 acre complex with stylized Native American architecture and aquatic displays, 23 trend setting retailers, 10 themed dining options, and 11 nightclubs. Alenver Inc. joined the ranks of high-level entertainers who have chosen the Hard Rock location including Billy Joel, Jay Leno and Jim Belushi. The elegantly produced show with a set featuring stairs to provide a multi-level show, was captured on film and will be available on You Tube in a matter of weeks.

The third Miami event this month featured Calvin Klein`s face and body of their Fall underwear campaign: Garrett Neff. Neff, the 24-year old Delaware native was featured at a Macy`s store promotion on Miami Beach November 22nd. Although fully clothed, he signed autographs on merchandise or pictures for those customers purchasing $40 or more of Calvin Klein products.

The final event located in Miami, was not strictly an underwear fashion show but rather a swimsuit model search for Miss Hawaiian Tropic International promoted by the Hawaiian Tropic sun care provider. Miami`s event on November 22nd at the Karu & Y club was one of 300 preliminary events in the United States resulting in two Florida finalists to represent Florida in the US show, which is then followed by the International event held in the Spring of 2009.

Karu & Y is a glamorous downtown location that features a restaurant with Chihuly blue icicle chandelier, and custom wall installation by Richard Boprae, an Ultralounge with garden with an "engaging spectrum of light, mood and atmosphere" "enchanting to the eyes, ears, and spirit", according to the owners, and a night club: the Buddha Club a customizable space with far east inspired decor with 30 moveable 11 foot totems. All in all a glamorous and balmy destination for a swim wear beauty show.

In the month of Thanksgiving, Miami it appears has a lot to be thankful for. The least of these is the incredible Fall seasonal weather and all that it brings to the city in the form of these glamorous shows.